Buying furniture can be exciting, but it’s easy to get it wrong. A piece might look great in a showroom or online, but once it’s in your space, it feels too big, too small or just not right for how you actually live.

Kim van Duiven from Askö Design has seen it all. Her advice? Slow down, think practically, and choose pieces that will last. Here are five ways to do just that.

1. Start with how you live, not how it looks
Before you fall for a particular style, think about how the space needs to work. Do you entertain often, or mostly relax at home with your family? Will kids or pets be using the furniture? Do you need it to be wipeable, flexible or compact?

Start with your most-used item, like the sofa, and build from there. One piece that truly fits your lifestyle is worth more than a whole room of mismatched furniture that only works in photos.

2. Live with less, then layer over time
There’s no need to furnish the whole room in one go. In fact, trying to do it all at once can lead to rushed choices and a space that feels more like a catalogue than a home.

Instead, choose one or two essential pieces and let the room grow naturally. Live with the space. Notice where you put your coffee, where the light falls in the afternoon, and where you wish you had an extra chair. Layering slowly creates a home that feels intentional, personal and lived-in.

3. Test the fit before you commit
This is Kim’s favourite trick: simulate the furniture in your space before you commit. Use painter’s tape, newspaper or, even better, cardboard boxes to map out the size of the piece in your room.

“I prefer boxes because you need to see the bulk of the furniture and how it’s going to sit in the room,” she says. This gives you a better sense of scale, especially for large items like sofas or dining tables. It also helps you spot practical issues, like whether doors can open, or if the piece blocks natural light.

4. Think in zones, not matching sets
Not every space needs to be a coordinated suite. In fact, breaking your room into zones can be much more effective. You might have a main seating area, a small reading nook, or a flexible corner for guests or play.

Modular thinking gives you freedom to mix textures, colours and shapes. It also lets you add pieces as your needs evolve, rather than boxing yourself into one fixed layout.

5. Put function first, then layer in style
It’s easy to fall in love with something that looks good, but if it doesn’t work for your life, you’ll end up frustrated. Think about how durable a material is. How easy it is to clean. How it supports your habits and routines.

As Kim says, “You need to be sure about it. You need to love it. It needs to be an extension of you and your personality”. Once you’ve nailed the function, the style becomes the fun part, and it’s much easier to get it right.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.